Simulating Motion and Forces [undergoing transformations]

The PhET program at the University of Colorado/Boulder has been making quality simulations since the 1990s. I don't recall the exact details of when I started crafting activities around them. But I know I chose to work PhET-based activities into my Conceptual Science lab manuals because I could count on them being universally accessible, free of charge.

When PhET ported its legacy Flash and Java sims into HTML5, some characteristics of the sims changed. Some of the changes broke some of the activities I had written for the original simulations. 

In the case of Projectile Motion, my activity requirements forced me to use a different online simulation: Galileo and Einstein by University of Virginia's Physics Department.

In the case of My Solar System PhET is in the process of upgrading the sim to HTML5 as of this writing. So this alternative was found. (Hat tip: Dan Burns.)

Here are the activities I've written for sims involving motion and forces.

Motivating the Moving Man [Graphical Kinematics] at Teachers Pay Teachers

Using PhET's Moving Man sim (CheerpJ Java as of this writing), investigate motion graphs by manipulating a simulated on-screen “moving man.” The simulation produces graphs representing the motion of the man. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

Dodge Nitro Jump [Free Fall Algebraic Kinematics] at Teachers Pay Teachers

This currently uses Galileo and Einstein's Projectile Motion Applet. As of this writing, PhET's HTML5 Projectile Motion simulation limits initial speeds to 30 m/s, which is too slow for this activity.

Tavurvur Erupts [Projectile Motion] at Teachers Pay Teachers

This currently uses Galileo and Einstein's Projectile Motion Applet. As of this writing, PhET's HTML5 Projectile Motion simulation limits initial speeds to 30 m/s, which is too slow for this activity.

Pushing Things Around [Newton's Second Law] at Teachers Pay Teacher

Using PhET's Force and Motion: Basics sim, investigate the relationship between force and motion using the “Forces and Motion: Basics” PhET simulation. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

The Laws of Attraction [Universal Gravitation] at Teachers Pay Teachers

Using PhET's Gravity Lab sim, investigate the quantitative nature of gravitational attraction. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

Worlds of Wonder [Orbital Mechanics] at Teachers Pay Teachers

PhET's My Solar System sim is not operational as of this writing. Using this Open Stax My Solar System alternative, use a simulation to study the orbital mechanics of a simplified solar system. A version of this activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.